Carlo Ancelotti praised Douglas Costa for "finding a solution" as a below-par Bayern Munich returned to the top of the Bundesliga with a 1-0 win at bottom-placed Darmstadt.
Costa's sumptuous left-footed strike on 71 minutes proved decisive as the champions deposed RB Leipzig -- who they face in Munich on Wednesday -- from the summit.
"It was a difficult game," Bayern boss Ancelotti said at his postmatch news conference.
"Darmstadt defended really well and were very well organised. We found it really hard to find space, especially in the first half.
"We didn't play so well, but credit must go Darmstadt. In the end, Douglas Costa found a solution."
Ancelotti said the Brazil international's goal had provided "three important points" and added: "At the end of the day, the most important thing is the win and to move back to the top.
"It will be a different game [against RB Leipzig] on Wednesday. But we have to play quicker when we have the ball, and with more movement off the ball too."
Central defender Mats Hummels told Sky Deutschland that no team ever "wins with magic football in Darmstadt."
"You have to fight and work hard for everything here," he said. "We won the game through the individual brilliance of Costa."
Meanwhile, Ancelotti confirmed that Arjen Robben had missed the trip to Darmstadt with the RB Leipzig clash in mind.
"Robben had a little problem on Saturday," the Italian said. "I think that he'll train on Monday and he'll be ready for Wednesday."